But from now on, there should be no surprise if Elvis Dumervil follows Williams out the Dove Valley doors. Broncos' chief contract negotiator Mike Sullivan and Dumervil's agent Marty Magid talked Monday for the first time in 72 hours.

They got no closer to a resolution. Dumervil has rejected the Broncos' proposed cut from the $12 million salary he is scheduled to make in 2013. That salary would become guaranteed if he is on the Broncos' roster by Saturday.

Magid submitted a counterproposal, but it was more about a restructure than pay reduction. Given the considerable difference in opinion on Dumervil's value, the pass-rushing defensive end is asking the team to release him before the free-agent market opens at 2 p.m. Tuesday, rather than wait until the Saturday deadline with his contract.

"We're at an impasse," Magid said Tuesday afternoon. "There's no animosity, whatsoever. Elvis understands this is a business. He loves the Broncos and he'd still like to come back and play for the Broncos under his current contract or restructure proposal that we sent them.

"But if we can't reach common ground and you know as an organization that you're going to release him, then we'd like for them to release him by (2) p.m. tomorrow and not wait another four days. No hard feelings. We just disagree on their restructure option."

The Broncos could wait until they acquire Dumervil's replacement through free agency before releasing their defensive end, who the team selected in the fourth round of the 2006 draft. But that maneuver in turn may cost Dumervil the first few days of free agency when teams can be aggressive in their pursuit of top-caliber talent.

Dumervil had an NFL-leading 17 sacks in 2009, but missed the 2010 season with a torn pectoral muscle. The Broncos paid him $14 million in 2011, when he had 9 ½ sacks, and another $14 million in 2012, when he had 11 sacks and forced six fumbles.

In other moves Monday, the Broncos re-signed special teams standout David Bruton to a three-year contract, and released backup quarterback Caleb Hanie along with Williams.

Hanie is a former Colorado State star who was on the Broncos' roster last season, but did not take a snap. He was the team's No. 3 quarterback behind Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler.

Williams, 30, was selected by the Broncos in the first round (No. 17 overall) of the 2004 draft. He led the Broncos in tackles as a rookie and remained a starter until last season, when he started out serving a nine-game suspension.

Upon his return, Williams lost his starting outside linebacker position to Wesley Woodyard. Veteran middle linebacker Keith Brooking is now a free agent. The Broncos plan to start Nate Irving at middle linebacker this season. Williams was released in part because he was due to make $6 million in the final year of his contract in 2013.

Teams that might be interested in Williams include Oakland, Washington, Baltimore, New England and Atlanta.

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